War… what is it good for? Well, that’s debatable, but war films have certainly been a boon for both Hollywood and the U.S. government throughout the last century. How have movies been used both to criticize war and to serve as propaganda vehicles for the military? And in what ways do various war films depict the political and social biases of the periods in which they were made? My guest is Peter Rollins, professor emeritus of film studies at Oklahoma State University and co-editor of the new book: Why We Fought: America’s Wars in Film and History. [Originally broadcast on WLUW’s Under Surveillance in August 2008.]
- August 11, 2008
Hollywood & American Wars, w/guest Peter Rollins
Kevin Fullam is a writer and researcher, with extensive experience in fields ranging from sports analytics to politics and cinema.
In addition, he has hosted two long-running radio series on film and culture, and taught mass media at Loyola University.
Episodes of his two shows, Split Reel and Under Surveillance, are archived on the Radio page.